Town Clerk On The Road To Master Status

Payson Town Clerk Silvia Smith is well on her way to being a master of her profession.

Smith has been accepted to the second level membership of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Master Municipal Clerk Academy.

About 15 percent of more than 10,300 members of the IIMC have qualified for academy status. Smith joined the institute in 1995.

"I am honored to welcome Ms. Smith into the second level membership of the IIMC Master Municipal Clerk Academy," IIMC President Jean M. Bailey said. "She has demonstrated and obtained career development goals that will aid her in maintaining the quality of excellence that is required of today's public officials and administrators."

"I like to get the continuing education," Smith said. "If I am always learning and keeping up my skills, then I can better serve my supervisors, co-workers and the public."

"Silvia is the best municipal clerk I have ever had the pleasure to work with," Town Manager Fred Carpenter said.

Smith has been employed with the town since 1988 and became town clerk in 1999. She now joins what is considered by the academy to be an elite group of municipal clerks who have achieved this designation in the state of Arizona.

The academy was established to further professional education of municipal clerks to enhance their skills as needed to meet the challenges of the office. Every two to four years, academy members must demonstrate active educational and professional participation that keep them aware of changing events in the local government scene.